It was a Friday night rehearsal in 1984 when I first met the legendary Gene Bennett. The corps was only entering its 3rd season but the level of talent had blossomed that winter and spring and we felt we were on the cusp of something special that upcoming season. Gene had agreed to take on the task of polishing the drill that summer. He was the architect of many a great Sunriser drill and he was legendary for putting together the first female guard in the DCA . I guess he was a lot like us, he thought outside the box. Needless to say with the help of Gene and his wisdom, the corps finished in third place that year and we had become one of the ” big boys” of the DCA in only our third season.
Fast forward to the fall of 2004. I attended a band show in my home town and saw Gene after the show before retreat. We traded a few stories and it was then I asked him if he had any time on his schedule to consult for the corps in the upcoming season? He politely told me to give him a call in the spring and we could chat then. I made that call in April and Gene agreed to spend some time with us as we started our climb back to the top 4 of the circuit.
Gene was liked by everyone that knew him. He always had a smile and a handshake and it never seemed he ever had a bad day. He taught us so many things back in 1984 and helped guide the corps and staff in 2005 back to the top 3, but most importantly he was our friend first and foremost. I still remember the night in Pennsylvania watching Gene and his best friend the legendary Frank Dorritte sitting in the front row of the corps bus like 2 giddy kids on their first corps trip away from home, it was a sight to behold and it put a smile on my face as I walked to my car for the long ride home. I will never forget that moment.
Gene Bennett will be missed by his friends and the activity he devoted his life to and I feel lucky to have called him a friend.
Gene played a big role in the early years of the Bushwackers helping set the course for our greatest years to come and he helped us find our way back to prominence years later.
I’m sure I can speak for ALL Bushwackers in this time of sadness. Gene, may you rest in peace and thank you for touching all our lives, we are all better people for it.
-Jay Morlot
Director, 1988-2010